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Friday, March 8, 2013

Around The World: Keeley Smith

Welcome to the Fourth week of Around The World! Every Friday I feature a Blogger, Author or Publisher and ask questions about the country or state they are from and what it is like to be a member of the book world there! If you are interested in being featured please sign up here.

Best part is the food. I love food LOL. Whenever I go on holiday I
always miss the small things like a lovely cup of tea and a nice scone.

Worst part, well that would have to be the taxes. We pay a lot of taxes
in this country, road tax, council tax, stamp duty, VAT rates are extreme. I
guess with the economy how it is, we notice where all the pennies are going
because we need them more.

What is the biggest challenge of
being an author there?

I wouldn’t say challenge as such but in the UK
we don’t have author/book conventions like in America and I would love that. I’ve
always wanted to go to a book convention J

Is it hard to organize author signings and events in the area? Are
schools and bookstores receptive to hosting your appearances?

I think it’s hard when you go it alone. I’ve found that school are
really receptive to it, they often want a few copies of your book to display,
give out etc... which helps develop interest. I’ve approached some book shops
and they have handed out bookmarks and things but I would say it’s a lot harder
there.

Are Publishers willing to work
with you were you live? Is it hard to find Industry Professionals?

I live in the north west of the UK so I find it
is really hard to find publishers closer to home. That’s not saying that a
publisher is unwilling to work with me. I don’t think they care where you live
as long as your book is good J

Is it necessary to travel to
bigger cities like London
to meet with publishing professionals? Are they willing to work with you via
e-mail?

I think that you would have to be willing to travel to London. This is the place where things happen
and there is only so much you can discuss over email.

Are there any publishers that work exclusively in the UK or publish only books written by authors from
the UK?

I’m not too sure about this one. I think that they look mostly for UK authors as
they have publishers, agents in other countries to deal with that side of
things.

A Few Of My Favorite Things Section:

Favorite Book (overall):

Eeeeekkkk, this is a hard one for me. It’s like asking a mother which
her favourite child is. If I was to choose which book I would pick up over and
over again, it would be Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Favorite Book Recent Release:

I’ve read a few books recently. I would say that J.D Robb’s Calculated
in Death has been my favourite by far!

Social Media:

Would have to be Facebook J Also love Goodreads
though!

Reading Spot:

I have a lovely big couple chair (it fits two people in it) I usually
spread out with a nice cup of tea, wrapped in a warm blanket and that’s me lost
for a few hours.